Art in the Thompson Okanagan is more than a sculpture or painting – it reflects the unique connection between the land and its people.
The art scene in the Okanagan is diverse: explore cultural districts surrounded by lakefront scenery, sample the produce of artisan food and wine producers or discover independent artists who work from home-based studios and galleries.
Artists in the Thompson Okanagan work with a variety of media. Many large sculptures can be seen throughout the Okanagan "Cultural Corridor", a 200km/120mi section of the Okanagan Valley that runs from Enderby in the north to Osoyoos in the south.
The artistic works of this region also include First Nations pictographs as well as modern contemporary classics on display at the award-winning Kamloops Art Gallery.
Interested in jewellery making? Budding lapidary artists can have a “hands-on” experience digging opals from Canada’s first opal mine, located near Vernon, or buy a piece of jewellery made from this local treasure.
Artistic Communities
The arts are alive and thriving in cities like Kelowna, Kamloops, Penticton and Vernon. The Kelowna Cultural District, set in the north end of downtown Kelowna along scenic Lake Okanagan, is a pedestrian-friendly area that encompasses boutiques, restaurants, live theatre, music and public arts displays. Highlights of the district include the Kelowna Art Gallery, the Rotary Centre for the Arts, and 11 major pieces of public art.
The art scene in Kamloops is well represented - local and regional artists are displayed in an impressive number of galleries.
Popular Art Galleries
The Kamloops Art Gallery features an impressive array of work in an equally impressive building. Four different display areas highlight nearly 2,000 pieces of art with the focus on contemporary visual art.
In Kelowna’s cultural district, First Nations art can be found in the Turtle Island Gallery. Aboriginal art from all across BC is represented, and includes carvings, masks, prints and gold and silver jewellery.
Public Art
Kelowna features dozens of public art works. Memorable works include the oft-photographed version of the famous Ogopogo, the mythical “Lake Serpent Spirit” said to reside in Okanagan Lake.
“Spirit of Sail” is a large waterfront sculpture by local artist Robert Dow Reid that has become a symbol of the city. “Rhapsody”, located in Waterfront Park, features dolphins playing in a large fountain. “Reach for the Stars”, Kelowna’s largest mural at 50m/164ft wide by 8m/26ft high, covers the entire wall of a commercial building
Enjoy art that is “super-sized”? Walk the streets of downtown Vernon and admire the 26 giant murals which tell the story of the area’s history. Tour maps for a self guided walking tour are available from the Vernon Visitor Centre.
Aboriginal Art
NK’Mip Desert Centre in Osoyoos features desert-themed sculptures as well as shops highlighting the art of the Okanagan First Nations; visit the interpretive centre to get a glimpse of desert flora and fauna.
See where the Okanagan's aboriginal artists left their mark. At the Snaza’ist Discovery Centre in Hedley, discover the thousand-year old pictographs or rock art, and ancient art form used by the Similkameen First Nations. Ochre was ground up and mixed with water and grease to make paint. In fact, the area around Princeton and Hedley contains some of the highest concentrations of pictographs in BC.
Festivals & Events
Arts events are plentiful in this region.
Held in Kamloops, Bizarre Bazaar is a free, weekly celebration of local artisans, crafters, and entertainers, featuring handcrafted original art works and crafts during summer months.
At the Kamloops Art Walk, local artists’ work is featured in stores and shops along Kamloops’ North Shore, during the late summer months.
The Lake Country Art Walk is a two-day show featuring more than 200 Okanagan artists, and is one of the largest art shows outside of Vancouver. This is a perfect opportunity to connect directly with artists, buy their work, participate in workshops or enjoy some of the Okanagan’s famous food and wine.
Lake Country is located on Highway 97, halfway between Kelowna and Vernon.